gamewarden

[slodge77]

can u be a gamewarden with a dui on your record

[wplatehunter]

There is Officers out there with DWI's. It all depends on the department. I can not speak for the DNR.

[prov1900]

Depends on how old the conviction is and which agency you are talking about, i.e. MN, IA, etc. States vary as do the individual agencies.

"Back in the day", a DUI was a death sentence as far as law enforcement employment went. I think most of them have lightened up quite a bit and I know several law enforcement officers who "made a bad decision" in their younger years.

More than one DUI? I think you can forget about employment in that field, however.

[deadeye]

Ya, Im thinking that they wont hold one against you. Up at school there were several in the law enforcement program that had them. I think it depends more on the department than anything.

[snoozebutton]

If that's what you're planning on doing, good luck!!! Not an easy job.

[kr8r.tom]

on in ten people in the u.s have dwi's in the last statistics i've heard. the president has a dwi, guaranteed several law enforcement have them also.

[Dave S]

When you're looking at a Conservation Officer position in the state of MN, if you have one on your record, you might as well forget about the DNR to begin with. There's so much competition for the CO jobs that anyone with a DUI is easy pickens to kick out of the running.

The best bet would be to get into a local department such as City or Sheriff's. Spend some time there, establish an IMPECCABLE record. Become very involved within your community, and maybe, just maybe after 8 years, a person would have a chance.

I know of some city officers who have DUI's on their record and got them "after" they had the badge on their chest.

Also, not to be too critical, but they're no longer called a "Gamewarden". They're referred to as Conservation Officers because they also handle conservation related issues. Not just game laws as the old name would imply.

[zamboni]

LEP is right, they have the qualifications on their HSOforum, and DWI is one that will eliminate you from consideration. They are VERY picky if you go on there and read what you can/can't have on your record.

[Big A]

DWI = No Hope or prayer on getting a job with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. They have very serious criteria...

Also, fat chance on getting employment with any City or County agency either. I know Officers who have a DWI after getting hired, but have NEVER met one who has been hired that got one prior.....

If you got a DWI or know someone who did that wanted a career in Law Enforcement, better start looking elsewhere for employment, or strap on a Jailer Uniform.. cause thats as close as your gonna get.

[zamboni]

From the MN DNR site- Qualifications:

Qualifications

A conservation officer must:

Be a citizen of the United States

Have skill in performing peace officer duties

Have good reading comprehension, oral and written communications skills

Be knowledgeable about fish and wildlife identification, habitat and other related environmental sciences

Have ability to perform the job in adverse weather and other environmental conditions; observe and record information; read, analyze, interpret and communicate information; detect and analyze information based on sight, smell and/or taste, etc.

Not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the performance of job duties and responsibilities

Have no felony conviction in Minnesota or a crime in any other state or federal jurisdiction that would have been a felony if committed in Minnesota

Have no other criminal convictions involving serious natural resource violations, crimes involving moral turpitude, or two or more alcohol-related driving violations for the past ten years

Have no DWI, reckless or careless driving, or other serious driving violations within the last five years

Possess a valid Minnesota peace officer's license; be eligible to be licensed by the Minnesota Peace Officers Standards and Training Board (POST); or complete basic police training and be certified as a full-time peace officer in a state or federal law enforcement agency with which Minnesota has reciprocity and pass the POST Board reciprocity exam

[zepman]

LEP is right-on. Just too many other people with clean records to choose from. I would think that in this day and age that it would be very difficult to get employment in law enforcement with a prior DUI.

[eric29]

Correct me if im wrong but i think a dwi is a felony isnt it.

[goose89]

No, not always. Without going into it in detail, a dwi in not a felony (in most cases). Usually misdemeanor or gross misedmeanor, I think.

[goetler]

This is from the DNR HSOforum,

"Qualifications

A conservation officer must:

Have no DWI, reckless or careless driving, or other serious driving violations within the last five years."

I know that if you do have any kind of a record, do not lie to them. Tell them what you have on your record as they will find out one way or another.

[grab the net]

With the States current budget issues, I would guess a hiring freeze will be put in place soon for all State agencies.

[jwmiller33]

can u be a gamewarden with a dui on your record

did you just get a DUI recently? are you on track or in school for law enforcement with intention on DNR? just curious.

if you did get a DUI, don't let it discourage you from your dream. things always have a way of working themselves out

[Tom7227]

No, not always. Without going into it in detail, a dwi in not a felony (in most cases). Usually misdemeanor or gross misedmeanor, I think.

First is a misdemeanor unless you blow over .20 or refuse to take a test, then a gross misdemeanor.

Second and third within 10 years are gross midemeanors with increasing mandatory jail.

Fourth in 10 years is a felony.

[Powerstroke]

First is a misdemeanor unless you blow over .20 or refuse to take a test, then a gross misdemeanor.

Second and third within 10 years are gross midemeanors with increasing mandatory jail.

Fourth in 10 years is a felony.

There are many things that can increase the charge and severity of the DUI so there is no hard and fast rule about what makes a DUI a felony unless there was a felony crime committed while operating.

Yes you can get a felony DUI on your first time, but you have to have a couple of extra circumstances.

It is not impossible to get a job with the DUI on your record, but it has to be a long time ago and your record since then better reflect that you've changed your lifestyle and that behavior is not a part of your life anymore.

I am a Law Enforcement student right now with the goal of being a CO someday. We've gone over many things including what to be careful of if you'd like to work in LE. If you're got a recent DUI, you should wait a while or consider a different field.

[wplatehunter]

No you can not get a felony DWI on your first one. To get a felony DWI you need to have three or more qualified prior impaired driving incidents with in 10 years. Look up 169A.24 You can get a 2nd degree DWI on your first one with two or more aggravating factors. I know of a few people who have had DWI prior to getting hired in law enforcment, but they were a few years before getting hired.

[wplatehunter]

The only way it would be a felony would be if you were charged with Criminal Vehicular Homicide, great bodily harm, or substantial bodily harm. 609.21

[caseymcq]

can u be a gamewarden with a dui on your record

There are some law enforcement programs(schools) that won't accept people who have DUI's on their record in certain time frames and will remove individuals from the program if it happens while they are in school.

[Chode2235]

I hope not.

[jwmiller33]

bottom line = dont drink and drive

[zamboni]

bottom line = dont drink and drive

Best answer so far.

[jwmiller33]